BALANCING LIFE
| This is how stress takes its toll physically. |
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| An acute stress event like the response to immediate
danger, causes hormones to become over active and it is these that can
damage the cardiovascular system. A chronic state of stress, for
example, where someone experiences constant emotional pressure and
cannot cope with it, causes hormones that can weaken the immune system
and damage the bones.
Sensors alert the brain to danger and a number of structures like the hypothalamus and pituitary gland are alerted. These and others exchange information which in turn, alert signalling hormones and nerve impulses to the rest of the body to get ready for "fight or flight". The stress response starts in the brain. The heart pumps faster and the lungs work harder because the adrenal glands release adrenalin in order to flood the body with oxygen. Body sugars are converted to energy by the release of cortisol and other glucocorticoids. Muscles tense up and the senses are heightened as the nerve cells release norepinephrine. At this point our digestive systems shuts down. Once the danger is past the adrenalin and norepinephrine levels drop but if repeated danger occurs they can damage the arteries. Where chronic stress persists the glucocorticoids remain in the system and this can lead to a reduced immunity system, memory problems and a loss of bone mass. |
